The Diamondbacks have signed 28-year old righty swinging outfielder Brent Clevlen to a minor league deal recently. He has played in 2 games in AA-ball for the D-Backs so far this year and he is 0 for 5 (.000 avg, .167 OPS) with 1 stolen base. Clevlen last played in the majors in 2010 with the Atlanta Braves. Clevlen has played in 59 games in his first four years in the majors and he is 18 for 77 (.234 avg, .709 OPS) with 17 runs scored, 3 homers and 7 RBIs. He has whiffed 31 times while only walking 5 times so far in his major league career, so he doesn’t have much plate discipline. That being said, it was smart of the D-Backs to stash Clevlen in the minors in case the need arises for an extra outfielder.

The D-Backs have released 26-year old righty reliever Daniel Stange. Stange pitched in 3 games (0 starts) in AAA-ball this year and he was 0-0 with a 23.62 ERA and a 4.88 WHIP. He gave up 8 hits and walked 5 batters in only 2 2/3 innings in AAA-ball this year! Stange’s only major league experience came back in 2010 with the D-Backs when he worked in 4 games (0 starts) in which he was 0-0 with a 13.50 ERA and a 2.50 WHIP. This is no loss for the D-Backs going forward.

The Diamondbacks have dealt 20-year old righty starting pitcher Robert Rowland to the Pirates in order to keep Rule 5 Pick Brett Lorin. Rowland pitched in 14 games (all starts) in Rookie-ball for the D-Backs last year and he was 2-7 with a 8.07 ERA and a 1.65 WHIP. He pitched in 28 games (all starts) in his first two years in the minors and he was 6-13 with a 7.01 ERA and a 1.60 WHIP. The Diamondbacks are glad that get to keep Lorin as they think he can help them potentially at some point in 2012. Lorin pitched in 25 games (17 starts) in A-ball for the Pirates last year and he was 7-6 with 1 save, a 2.84 ERA and a 1.04 WHIP. He has now pitched in 76 games (63 starts) in his first four years in the minors and he is 18-16 with 1 save, a 3.03 ERA and a 1.13 WHIP. This deal will help the D-Backs as they can now send Lorin to the minors without losing him….and the price was right as Rowland has really struggled to this point in his career.

The Diamondbacks have signed 34-year old righty swinging 1B Randy Ruiz to a minor league deal. Ruiz played in 38 games in Japan last year and he was 25 of 128 (.195 avg, .612 OPS) with 11 runs scored, 6 homers and 17 RBIs. Ruiz last played in the majors back in 2010 with the Blue Jays. Ruiz has played in 68 games in his first three years in the majors and he is 59 for 217 (.272 avg, .820 OPS) with 41 runs scored, 12 homers, 25 RBIs and 2 stolen bases. Ruiz will likely start the 2012 season in the minors.

The Diamondbacks have signed 24-year old lefty reliever Ryan Quigley to a minor league deal. Quigley pitched in 36 games (0 starts) in Independent ball last year and he was 6-1 with a 1.68 ERA and a 1.16 WHIP. He has now pitched in 84 games (1 start) in his first three years in the minors and he is 12-6 with a 4.55 ERA and a 1.62 WHIP. Quigley will likely start the 2012 season in the low minors for the D-Backs.